About Our Language Courses

WICE offers French language classes plus French and English guided discussion classes, film classes, and free conversation groups. Language courses are offered from September through June, except during Christmas holidays and official public holidays.

2023 Winter Trimester courses will be held on-line via Zoom as WICE reorganizes following the closing of our office location. Some classes may elect to meet from time to time in a café or other shared space.

For optimal personal attention and expression, core language classes (French 3 and 4) are limited to a maximum of 8 students, film and discussion groups to a maximum of 10.

Which Level Is Right For You

Before enrolling for the first time in a language-learning course, you may want to complete our online Placement Evaluation. It will collect your responses and display your final score sending a notice to the Languages Department. While it is not required, this evaluation may help you choose the right course level. If you have questions thereafter, or are unsure which course to take, please email us at languages@wice-paris.org.

Currently WICE is offering core French classes for levels 3 and 4 only. (See below for criteria.) If you are interested in a lower level, please email us at the address above.

  • Level 3: Capable of having a conversation on familiar topics and routine situations, with some errors. Ability to deal with simple, straightforward information. B1
  • Level 4: Capable of having a more fluent conversation on a wide rante of topics. Strong vocabulary with few mistakes. B2-C1.
  • Film and Discussion courses: These classes offer an opportunity to practice your oral and language skills and to increase vocabulary in a stimulating, less formal context. To participate fully, an intermediate level is recommended.

English Placement Test

French Placement Test

UPCOMING EVENTS

    • 16 Feb 2024
    • 29 Mar 2024
    • 3 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 3
    Register

    COURSE DESCRIPTION: For this advanced French course, you will watch a film at home (available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Canal Plus, Orange, YouTube and other platforms) before a lively and engaging discussion in class. Each month a new film provides a basis for an immersive lesson with authentic spoken language and cultural reference points. If you love movies, there’s no more enjoyable way to increase vocabulary, improve conversational skills, and deepen your understanding of French cinema and culture. 

    Each discussion will focus on analyzing the film from different angles:

    • Creation; production; and reception, both critical and commercial
    • Screenplay, direction, and artistic collaborations such as script, cinematography, acting, and music
    • Specific features in the director's filmography and its place in the French cinema of his/her era.

     For the winter trimester, we will be discussing the following films from the 1960s:

    • 1.    La Peau douce (1964) de François Truffaut, avec Françoise Dorléac, Jean Desailly. Amazon Prime Vidéo
    • 2.     Les Demoiselles de Rochefort (1967) de Jacques Demy, avec Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, Michel Piccoli, Jacques Perrin. Amazon Prime Video, Canal VOD
    • 3.     Ma nuit chez Maud (1969) de Eric Rohmer, avec Françoise Fabian, Jean-Louis Trintignant. Canal VOD, Universciné

    ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: A graduate of Sciences Po Paris and ESCP Business School with a master's in political philosophy, Pascale Borenstein co-founded the first professional training course for screenwriters, the Conservatoire Européen d'Ecriture Audiovisuelle (CEEA), which she subsequently directed. From 2004 to 2017, she was Director of International Relations and Continuing Education at France's national film school, La Fémis, where she collaborated with the film departments at NYU, Columbia University, and Calarts. Pascale is the co-author of "Histoire de films français" published by Bordas and a lecturer at l'ICART (École du Management Culturel & Marché de l'Art).


    • 08 Apr 2024
    • 27 Jun 2024
    • 23 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom (online)
    • 6
    Register

    Course Description

    This lively French course will improve your ability to deal with an array of everyday life situations in French. This level is for students who understand simple, straightforward information and can express themselves in familiar contexts and take part in an everyday conversation on simple, predictable topics.

    Using interactive methods to ensure learner engagement and lasting progress, the course will help you develop your vocabulary, oral and written expression, comprehension, and pronunciation.

    Geared for learners with an intermediate knowledge of French, the 90-minute class will be held in French, twice a week for a total of 3 hours per week.

    About the Instructor

    Audrey Charmont has a Masters in Marketing and Communications as well as a DAEFLE (French as a Foreign Language). She has years of French teaching experience in France and abroad.

    • 08 Apr 2024
    • 26 Jun 2024
    • 22 sessions
    • In person, 120 rue la Boétie (Rez de chaussée), 75008 Paris
    • 7
    Register

    Course Description

    This course is designed for beginners, either for first-time learners or those who want to refresh their French at a basic level.

    Throughout the course students will acquire the essential French skills (writing, speaking, pronunciation) needed to function in everyday-life situations.

    Each class will take place in a lively and friendly atmosphere that encourages students' enjoyment and active participation. Along with  linguistic exercises, references to French culture and gastronomy will also be presented.

    The course meets twice a week for 90 minutes (a total of 3 hrs/week) and is conducted in French. When necessary, supplementary explanations may be given in English.

    About the instructor

    Nathalie Allain is a native French speaker with a master’s degree in FLE (French as a foreign language) who is also fluent in English, German, and Japanese. To future students, she says: “In addition to textbooks, I like to make French come alive by using the language to discover the culture and history of Paris in one field trip each month.”

     

    • 11 Apr 2024
    • 27 Jun 2024
    • 10 sessions
    • Online via Zoom
    • 9
    Register

    Course Description

    This English Guided Discussion Group is open to people who have a strong intermediate or advanced level of English. Our group leaders suggest interesting topics and readings prior to each group discussion. If you enjoy reading, speaking, presenting, and engaging in diverse topic-centered discussions, this group is for you. In addition to learning and developing through guided conversation with other participants, you will also have the opportunity to get personalized constructive feedback. The group speaks only in English for one
    hour.

    Ce groupe de discussion guidée anglaise est ouvert aux personnes qui parlent anglais presque couramment (niveaux intermédiaire-avancé ou avancé). Nos animateurs proposent des sujets intéressants et des textes avant chaque groupe. Si vous appréciez la lecture, la communication, la présentation et la participation à des discussions
    diverses, ce groupe est pour vous. En plus d’apprendre et se développer à travers des discussions guidées avec d'autres participants, vous aurez également la possibilité d'obtenir des
    commentaires constructifs. Ce groupe de discussion guidée est un endroit idéal pour rencontrer d’autres passionnés de la langue anglais. Le groupe ne parle qu’anglais pendant une heure.

    Note: A Zoom link will be provided the day before the
    course begins. Be sure to check your email for it

    Facilitators

    The group will be led by several native English speakers of varying interests and backgrounds.
    • 11 Apr 2024
    • 27 Jun 2024
    • 10 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 9
    Register

    Course Description

    This French Guided Discussion Group is open to people who have a strong intermediate or advanced level of French. Group leaders provide participants with engaging weekly readings on a wide range of topics prior to each dynamic and fast-paced seminar. If you enjoy reading, speaking, presenting, and engaging in varied, topic-centered discussions, this group is for you. In addition to learning through focused conversation with other participants, you will also have the opportunity to get personalized constructive feedback. The French Guided Discussion group speaks only in French for 90 minutes which gives participants an excellent space to practice.

    Note the new day and time to give members in other time zones the opportunity to join in.

    About the Instructors

    Brice Dardel and Brigitte Le Quere, both native French speakers with extensive experience leading discussions, alternate weekly sessions.

    • 12 Apr 2024
    • 28 Jun 2024
    • 11 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom (online)
    • 6
    Register

    Course Description

    This dynamic course will fine tune your abilities in an array of everyday life situations in French. Students at this level have the ability to express themselves on a range of topics. They are comfortable in most situations and have a strong vocabulary with few mistakes. Using interactive methods to ensure learner engagement and lasting progress, the course will facilitate your progress in vocabulary development, oral and written expression, comprehension, and pronunciation. Geared for learners with prior advanced-intermediate French, this course will be held in French once a week for 90 minutes.

    About the Instructor

    Audrey Charmont has a Masters in Marketing and Communications as well as a DAEFLE (French as a Foreign Language). She has French teaching experience in France and abroad.
    • 12 Apr 2024
    • 28 Jun 2024
    • 11 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom (online)
    • 6
    Register

    Course Description

    This dynamic course will fine tune your abilities in an array of everyday life situations in French. Students at this level have the ability to express themselves on a range of topics. They are comfortable in most situations and have a strong vocabulary with few mistakes. Using interactive methods to ensure learner engagement and lasting progress, the course will facilitate your progress in vocabulary development, oral and written expression, comprehension, and pronunciation. Geared for learners with prior advanced-intermediate French, this course will be held in French once a week for 90 minutes.

    About the Instructor

    Audrey Charmont has a Masters in Marketing and Communications as well as a DAEFLE (French as a Foreign Language). She has French teaching experience in France and abroad.
    • 19 Apr 2024
    • 21 Jun 2024
    • 3 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 9
    Register

    COURSE DESCRIPTION: For this advanced French course, you will watch a film at home (available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Canal Plus, Orange, YouTube and other platforms) before a lively and engaging discussion in class. Each month a new film provides a basis for an immersive lesson with authentic spoken language and cultural reference points. If you love movies, there’s no more enjoyable way to increase vocabulary, improve conversational skills, and deepen your understanding of French cinema and culture. 

    Each discussion will focus on analyzing the film from different angles:

    • Creation; production; and reception, both critical and commercial
    • Screenplay, direction, and artistic collaborations such as script, cinematography, acting, and music
    • Specific features in the director's filmography and its place in the French cinema of his/her era.

     For the spring trimester, we will be discussing the following films:

    1. L'Armée des ombres (1969) de Jean- Pierre Melville. Avec Lino Ventura, Simone Signoret, Paul Meurisse. Canal VOD, Orange, Arte Boutique

    2. A nos amours (1984) de Maurice Pialat
    Avec Sandrine Bonnaire, Dominique Besnehard, Maurice Pialat
    Universciné

    3. Sans toit ni loi (1988) d’Agnès Varda
    Avec Sandrine Bonnaire
    Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Canal VOD

    • ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: A graduate of Sciences Po Paris and ESCP Business School with a master's in political philosophy, Pascale Borenstein co-founded the first professional training course for screenwriters, the Conservatoire Européen d'Ecriture Audiovisuelle (CEEA), which she subsequently directed. From 2004 to 2017, she was Director of International Relations and Continuing Education at France's national film school, La Fémis, where she collaborated with the film departments at NYU, Columbia University, and Calarts. Pascale is the co-author of "Histoire de films français" published by Bordas and a lecturer at l'ICART (École du Management Culturel & Marché de l'Art).


    • 24 Apr 2024
    • 26 Jun 2024
    • 3 sessions
    • Zoom online
    • 8
    Register

    COURSE DESCRIPTION

    Discover and discuss contemporary classics in this lively class for high-intermediate and advanced French speakers. You’ll read a book at home, either a short novel or play, then participate in a class discussion. The instructor will supply context and cultural elements, as well as discussion questions intended to spark reflection and debate. In the spirit of literary cafés, the class will help you gain a deeper knowledge of French societal issues and controversies.

    For the spring term, we will read...

    "Dans les rapides," Maylis de Kerangal : In the 1980s, Lise, Nina and Marie are students in the same high school. Through rowing in the cold, at dawn, they become inseparable and learn to navigate the perils of their daily life : boys, popularity, choosing Debbie Harry or Kate Bush... This poetic short novel captures the subtle essence of adolescence. Éditions Folio.

    "Migraaaants, ou On est trop nombreux sur ce putain de bateau ou Le salon de la clôture" Matei Visniec, who fled the Romanian dictatorship himself, wrote this dark comedy after months of investigating immigration issues for Radio France Internationale. In this series of short texts, we will read the point of view of migrants, but also smugglers, politicians receiving media training, and citizens willing to help. Éditions L'Oeil du Prince

    "Le petit prince cannibale" : This novel interweaves the story of the narrator, mother of a young autistic child, and the story of the book she is trying to write when he is finally in bed. The little prince she struggles to raise and give access to the world, devours her time, creativity and words. Françoise Lefèvre won the Prix Goncourt des lycéens in 1990 for this beautiful novel. Éditions Babels

    About the instructor

    Bleuenn Simon has taught French literature and French as a second language for over 18 years in France and in the United States. She is also a theater teacher, amateur actress, and author.

    • 26 Apr 2024
    • 28 Jun 2024
    • 3 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 6
    Register

    Course Description

    Discover and discuss masterpieces of American and British cinema in this class for intermediate and advanced English speakers. You’ll watch a film at home on streaming, or borrow the DVD from your local library, before a lively and engaging discussion in class. You’ll be assigned one scene to watch at least three times! Every month you’ll view a film from an influential director so you’ll come to know the stylistic hallmarks of favorite genres and filmmakers.

    If you love the movies, this course is an enjoyable way to increase vocabulary, get comfortable with idiomatic expressions, improve your conversational skills, and deepen your understanding of American culture and cinema.

    The spring we’ll discuss three films that are all premiere examples of 1930s (or early 1940s) Hollywood genre films:

    Screwball comedy: My Man Godfrey (1936), directed by Gregory La Cava, with William Powell and Carole Lombard

    Musical:  Swing Time (1936), directed by George Stevens, with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

    Detective film: Maltese Falcon (1941) directed by John Huston, with Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, and Peter Lorre

    About the instructor
    Ellen Feldman grew up in Philadelphia and currently lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She holds a Ph.D. in cinema studies from New York University and has taught film studies at the State University of New York, Geneseo campus, and Brooklyn College.